“You’re being muddleheaded!”
Ol’ Amos berated him, “What’s the big deal about the exchange competition? Staying alive should be your number one priority instead! I believe that with your talent, you’ll eventually surpass me one day to reach unimaginable heights.
“By then, what is there that you wouldn’t be able to get?
“Territory, money, power, status, women... You can have as much as you want. Is there a need to be hung up over a championship title?
“Listen to me, retreat first!
“No matter what, you must retreat to where the teleportation magic circle is first so that you can retreat safely immediately if an accident happens.”
“I’ll do that, Ol’ President.”
Convinced, Meng Lei sent a flying kick to Sacas’ butt and said, “Get up, we’re leaving!”
Whoosh!
At that moment, a few golden streams of light suddenly shot toward them and reached right in front of Meng Lei in just a few breaths.
One, two, three...
They were actually five golden fruits!
Chapter 184: Hand Over The Fruits, It’s Her!
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Boom!
A 100-feet-wide waterfall cascaded forcefully from the 1,000-feet-tall cliff, smashing out a gigantic pool at the bottom. The waters in the pool churned as thunderous booms rang out.
Beside the pool was a small unit currently roasting Magical Beast meat at a campfire. The golden-yellow roast was showing signs of charring, yet it was as if the few people in the unit hadn’t realized at all.
Their eyes were fixed on a golden fruit a short distance away from them. There was surprise, agitation, curiosity, perplexity, wariness... and greed in them!
“Did you guys hear that?”
“Yeah!”
“I heard it!”
“Is the master of that voice just now the Tree of Life that the Giant Crocodile mentioned?”
“There shouldn’t be any mistake about it. Didn’t it mention that the tree is the creator and guardian of this continent? So it’s likely no doubt the Tree of Life!”
“In other words, that golden fruit in front of us now is the Tree of Life fruit that the Giant Crocodile mentioned?”
“A miraculous fruit that can let low-grade Magical Beasts become a Saint Domain Magical Beast in a short amount of time?”
“Most likely!”
“Probably!”
“I think there’s no mistake about that!”
“Magical Beasts may be able to eat it, but can we eat them, too?”
The members of the unit sank into silence at once. All of their eyes were flashing, their thoughts unknown.
“My brothers, that fruit is of unknown origins. We mustn’t allow it to bewitch and deceive us. In the event that it’s poison itself or some kind of highly poisonous items, wouldn’t we be in for it?”
A short and shrewd-looking man said gravely, “Before we ascertain the authenticity of that fruit, we should distance ourselves from it as much as possible, lest we invite great calamity.”
“That makes sense.”
“I don’t dare to eat something of unknown origins like that.”
“Everything on this continent feels strange, and that fruit’s sudden appearance is even more so. We’d better not touch it.”
“Let’s just keep it for now.”
“We’ll talk about it again when we’re sure of its origins.”
The members quickly reached an agreement. Then, all of them turned around and walked over to the campfire, paying no heed to the golden fruit anymore.
Whoosh!
Just as the few of them reached the campfire and sat down, ready to eat, the form of the short man who had spoken earlier suddenly flashed and darted swiftly over to the golden fruit.
“My brothers, this fruit is of unknown origins, and we don’t know whether it’s poison or a fruit. I’ll sacrifice myself and try it out!”
As the short man spoke, he also grabbed the golden fruit and stuffed it into his mouth. At that moment, a large hand appeared out of nowhere and closed around his throat, pulling him up from the ground.
The short man snapped furiously. “What are you doing, Ned?”
“Myers, are you thinking of monopolizing the fruit?”
The muscular man named Ned snorted and gouged the fruit out of the short man’s mouth. Then, he wiped it casually on his clothes and said, “Even if we must test it, I should be the one to do it. You’re no way even near in line for it.”
Then, he also raised the fruit and sent it toward his mouth.
Whiz, whiz!
Several swords flashed as they cleaved toward Ned, almost all at the same time.
“Damn!”
Having seen it coming, Ned hastily dodged the swords cleaving toward him and snapped furiously. “What are all of you doing, Frank?!”
“Put down the fruit, Ned!”
The other members said with cold looks on their faces, “All of us discovered that fruit. How it should be handled should be discussed and decided by all of us. No-one is allowed to monopolize it!”
“Put down the fruit, Ned. Don’t let it affect our relationship!”
“We’ve known each other for so many years, Ned. Is such a fruit of unknown origins worth breaking our friendship over?”
“Exactly...”
“You’re right. I was wrong!”
Ned, who seemed convinced, said, “I’m sorry, my brothers. My anger at Myers just now has made me muddleheaded, so I acted rather rash. I hope you won’t hold it against me.”
As he spoke, he bent over to place the fruit on the ground. However, in the instant he made contact with the ground, he grabbed a handful of sand and tossed it toward his companions.
Then, with a leap, he dived into the bushes at the side and disappeared from sight. “Making me hand over the fruit? Dream on! My hope for stepping into Saint Domain territory lies in this!”
“You bastard!”
“Ned, you bastard!”
“Go after him! Hurry!”
...
Similar situations constantly played out in various corners of the continent. In fact, there was no lack of situations even more bitter and desperate than that.
The target that the contestants were
